What's a good UK getaway destination for someone who doesn't own a car?
Posted by Usual-Journalist-292@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 73 comments
For context I'm from the midlands, closest big train station is Birmingham so I'd probably have to head there first to go anywhere.
Just want to get away for a week or so, was considering somewhere in Cornwall but it would be about an 8 hour journey and require 4-6 different trains. I'm also not sure how much I could realistically explore without the convenience of driving.
Has anyone visited somewhere off the beaten path using only public transport which you'd recommend?
In an ideal world it would be fairly easy to get there from Birmingham, but if it takes 7 different trains, so be it.
_CheddarRex_@reddit
Aberystwyth.
Direct train from Birmingham New Street. Seaside town, lots of countryside walking routes, and you can take the train line up the coast for a few days trips if you fancy it.
Plugpin@reddit
Not sure what the stops are to Aberystwyth, but you could also get the train to Manchester and then on to North Wales. There is a line that heads through to Rhyl, Llandudno and Bangor. The later two are quite nice, I remember Rhyl being a sadder version of Blackpool, it might have changed over the past 20 years tho lol.
EUskeptik@reddit
You don’t need to go to Manchester. Travel via Crewe.
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Ok-Ship812@reddit
I got halfway through this post and saw the word ‘Rhyl’ and had an involuntary sharp intake of breath.
But you did well to recover :)
If they ever give Wales an enema Rhyl is where the tube goes.
Silver_SnakeNZ@reddit
Rhyl is genuinely the most depressing place I've ever been to in Britain (mind you I've never been to hospital Lincolnshire which I also hear has some dumps). Super cool castle in Conwy though and I'm sure you could catch a bus to some beautiful places in Snowdonia which is some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain.
WGD23@reddit
Barmouth works as well
Overall-Lynx917@reddit
You beat me to it.
Barmouth is also a good base for a week without a car. You can catch the train north to Phwelli stopping at Porthmadog or head south down to Tywyn.
Plus, the journey to Barmouth is very pretty
Scorpiodancer123@reddit
Absolutely Aberystwyth. I would also recommend the little train that goes from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge Waterfall.
Voeld123@reddit
And more pubs than you can wave a pint glass at?
MintBerryFondue@reddit
I recommend going to Aber during term time if you want to enjoy the nightlife and social scene.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are the days you should be aiming for.
During semester breaks or long holidays, the town can be quiet. Many places may be closed. The last time I was in Aber for the Easter break, half of the bars and pubs were shut. Downies wasn't open neither was Academy, Harleys and Why Not (Permanently closed now).
_CheddarRex_@reddit
Highest density of licensed premises in the UK. 64 per square mile is the stat I was always told
Scorpiodancer123@reddit
One for every week of the year.
EUskeptik@reddit
+1 for the Cambrian Lines of Great British Railways.
Stay anywhere along the coast and buy a Rover Ticket for several days’ unlimited train travel between Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, including Borth, Machynlleth, Aberdyfi, Tywyn, Fairbourne, Barmouth, Penrhyndeudrath (for the charming Italianate village of Portmeirion). Porthmadog and Criccieth. Machynlleth isn’t on the coast but it’s an important railway junction for the lines heading south to Aberystwyth and north to Pwllheli.
There are several narrow gauge steam railways that are easily accessed from the Cambrian Coast Line. They offer fantastic views of the countryside up to a few miles from the coast plus they have a charm all of their own. They include the Vale of Rheidol Railway at Aberystwyth, the Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn, the Fairbourne Railway at Fairbourne (which connects with a ferry to Barmouth) plus the Ffestiniog and West Highland Railways at Porthmadog.
The latter two are expensive, especially the Welsh Highland, but some of the scenery they pass through is magnificent. To keep costs down, travel from Porthmadog Harbour to Beddgelert, a much shorter journey than to Caernarfon, and you still experience the best part of the line through the Aberglaslyn Pass. Beddgelert is a beautiful village, worthy of a visit in its own right. It has the oldest ice cream shop in Wales co-located with a nice cafe.
There are several castles along the coast with Harlech vying with Caernarfon for being the most spectacular. The bus from Porthmadog to Caernarfon is much, much cheaper than the train. Criccieth Castle is within easy reach from the station.
I have visited the Cambrian Coast many times and I never get bored because there is so much to see and do.
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HengeHopper@reddit
Walk the West Highland Way maybe
Get the train up, book accommodation in various inns at a pace to suit your style
Book a guy with a van that takes your bulky luggage ahead of you, so you only need a day sack
A great way to spend a week. You'll meet other's doing the walk at different paces
https://www.westhighlandway.org/the-route/
shortymcsteve@reddit
Glasgow! It has the best suburban rail network outside of London.
This is what I would do:
There you go, that’s 7 days easily.
JoeDaStudd@reddit
For historic city breaks Chester, York and Oxford spring to mind.
For nature the Peak District is going to be the closest.
Secure_Music_6062@reddit
Birmingham to Leeds, Leeds local line to Skipton (20 mins), the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, lovely town
UniquePotato@reddit
And then what? You need a car or transport to go further. Apart from the castle, what else has skipton got going for it?
Secure_Music_6062@reddit
no you don't, it's called the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales for a reason; you can go on long hikes from the town. Separately it has numerous places to eat, great pubs, canal walks, what else does one need?
MrsTheBo@reddit
The New Forest is pretty accessibly by train and bus - I’d head for Brockenhurst which has a few nice hotels, with a well-served railway station that has buses and trains to different parts of the Forest, and you can also hire a bike.
BillyBoskins@reddit
About to say this, did it car-less last June and had a wonderful time
alphamagus@reddit
I would definitely recommend the Isle of Wight. It is three trains away from Birmingham and Public Transport on the Island is cheap and reliable. The island itself is beautiful with plenty to do regardless of your vibe and the people are really lovely.
YesTesco@reddit
Arran. If you can get to Glasgow Central, you can get to Ardrossan /Troon via train and then a ferry to Brodick. Most of the village there is peaceful and quiet. Literally spent most of my time there being the most relaxed I’ve ever been. Came back really refreshed. All things you might need are walkable distances. Longer trips across the island may require using the bus service.
SmolKits@reddit
Windermere (as well as Bowness and Ambleside) is easy to get to from Birmingham - just change at Preston. There's busses from Windermere to both Bowness and Ambleside and both are absolutely worth visiting. I would just avoid school holidays if you can
gham89@reddit
My wife and I went on a mini-moon to Bowness and it was absolutely stunning. Cracking little town, loads to to and see and just an all round lovely vibe.
Subsequent honeymoon was cancelled due to COVID, so now just have the Lake District to look back fondly on.
cbawiththismalarky@reddit
You can get a train to Windermere
SmolKits@reddit
That's basically what I said - there's no direct train from Brum to Windermere so it'd be a change at Preston. Then can get the bus to Bowness or Ambleside for a day trip. From Preston to Windermere is only about an hour and then from here to Brum is about an hour and a half
cbawiththismalarky@reddit
Sorry read it wrong
SmolKits@reddit
No worries :)
BabaSarah@reddit
Bath is nice once you get there.
Or what about Edinburgh?
herne_hunted@reddit
Sleeper to Inverness.
Silly-Network-4551@reddit
Broadstairs Kent is great, station right near beach, nice area lovely sand, can visit Charles Dickens’ house
Silly-Network-4551@reddit
Long way from Birmingham I guess though
useful__pattern@reddit
Cornwall from Birmingham, is a train to Euston, a tube to Paddington and one train to Cornwall.
No idea where ur getting 4-6 from.
milesplatting44@reddit
There's a direct train to Plymouth every hour from New Street in pretty much a straight line. Then over the border at Saltash and you're away. No need to trouble yourself with going via London.
Even a couple of direct trains through to Penzance each day.
dglcomputers@reddit
Dorset can be done with no changes, then you've got trains down to Weymouth and buses along the Jurassic coast, which in the summer include open-top ones. Easy to get from Weymouth/Dorchester to places like Portland, Bath, Bristol, Frome, Blandford, Sherbourne, Durdle Door/Lulworth, Bruton, Lyme Regis, Abbotsbury, West Bay Etc.
Dolphin_Spotter@reddit
Aberystwyth. Regular trains from Brum, reasonably priced hotels, friendly natives. I'd avoid the spoons though.
badger906@reddit
Edinburgh! Amazing city, with bus links out into the wilderness.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
London is pretty easy to get around without a car, there’s the tube, buses, trains and of course walking are good ways to traverse London, lots of different things to see, an hour from Dover by train so easy to go there if you’re interested in seeing some of what’s offered in dover
evenstevens280@reddit
You can get from Birmingham to Cornwall on one train...
Though it depends where I'm Cornwall exactly you want to go
SubstantialAd283@reddit
I think Edinburgh is roughly 4hrs and should be about £75 return. Unsure if a railcard could make it cheaper
bluejackmovedagain@reddit
Barmouth is one train from Birmingham, and the line it's on is an easy way to explore less touristy areas.
GreenMist1980@reddit
The whole of the Cambrian coast is a great way to explore. My folks used to spend their summer holidays in this area and would often take a day trip out on the train.
DrFriedGold@reddit
Matlock Bath is like an inland seaside town but more upmarket. Lovely countryside all around too.
shark-with-a-horn@reddit
There are good trains through the Yorkshire dales
bopeepsheep@reddit
Orkney - I'm going again this year. Flights, or train & ferry. Mainland is navigable by bus though taxis can be useful (or hire a guide).
mrsp124@reddit
You could do 4-5 stops and see some different places eg 2 on the way to your destination and 2 on the way back. Make the train journey part of the adventure.
So maybe head in the direction of Penzance and stop at Taunton and Bodmin on the way there and Exeter and Totnes on the way back. You can get the cross country train to Reading and change there for the first great Western to Penzance. Alternatively, I'm sure you could do similar heading north eg to York or something.
pab6407@reddit
You can reach the edge of the Forest of Bowland or the Western side of the Yorkshire Dales by train from Leeds ( The Bentham Line and the Settle Carlisle Line respectively )
Leeds is a direct train ride from Birmingham.
Similarly the Cumbrian Coast and the Lake District are accessible from Manchester.
MoonShineWashingLine@reddit
I'm sure you can get to Exeter and Totnes direct from Birmingham NS. I've only gone that far though and can't remember how far the train goes after that. Maybe Plymouth?
Moo2310@reddit
My nearest big station's Birmingham too and I know my dad's gotten down to Porthcawl (nice little seaside town in South Wales, good beaches and there's a holiday park with plenty to do very near) on the trains with minimal fuss before.
Scorpiodancer123@reddit
The fairground in Porthcawl has closed now and the place is pretty depressing.
Try Barry Island instead. You can get a direct train from Cardiff.
Moo2310@reddit
Awwww I forgot Coney beach closed down :( Trecco bay a 10 minute walk away can be nice but I'm aware they've changed a lot too. I second Caerphilly and Castell Coch though- I like those places a lot.
Amazing-Piglet1037@reddit
You haven't said what sort of things you're interested in- city breaks, how much walking you like doing etc.
I've done a lot of trips around the UK without a car, but I'm happy to do quite a lot of hiking.
Nearish to Birmingham there's the Forest of Dean- you could get the train to one of the local towns- I walked in from Lydney.
A much longer journey but excellent without a car is the Isles of Scilly- nobody takes cars there. You can get a little boat to a different island each day and explore them on foot, and the beaches look almost tropical. You can get the sleeper train from London to Penzance and take the ferry from there (there are also air travel options). Accommodation is hard to come by though. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/article/2024/aug/08/a-car-free-adventure-on-the-isles-of-scilly-cornwall
In Scotland, Aviemore is a good base, and has regular trains. It's next to the Cairngorms and the Caledonian pine forest. You might end up getting a fair amount of buses there- I always do.
SmolKits@reddit
Windermere (as well as Barrow-in-furness and Ambleside) is easy to get to from Birmingham - just change at Preston. There's busses from Windermere to both Barrow and Ambleside and both are absolutely worth visiting. I would just avoid school holidays if you can
ReneRottingham@reddit
Whitby
SilyLavage@reddit
Is a right pain to get to by train.
SilyLavage@reddit
Birmingham has decent links to many places, but taking the Cambrian Line to one of the Welsh resorts around Cardigan Bay would be a nice trip. Base yourself in one of them, and use the train to visit the others – Porthmadog might be a good idea, as it also has a heritage railway that leads into Eryri/Snowdonia.
Dangerous_Bed2566@reddit
Arran.
It does take 2 trains and a boat but it is sensational.
NoCold3997@reddit
I'm coming to Birmingham on the train next month ....from ludlow in Shropshire. Nice historical town.full of character bars/restaurants surrounded by lovely countryside
AlaricTheBald@reddit
Stratford is dead easy from Birmingham, but doesn't really warrant a whole week out. Great for a day or two though.
You can also get a direct train up to Edinburgh, which is always worth a visit.
Silver_SnakeNZ@reddit
In addition to the good suggestions already in the thread I really enjoyed visiting Chester which was an easy connection from New Street.
Smiley_Sid@reddit
York
RaiLau@reddit
Was going to say York too. Can get trains to Knaresborough and Harrogate and probably buses to the dales from there too.
Logical-Title5403@reddit
It depends where you live is you don’t have a car
Sketcchy@reddit
The Gower peninsula for beaches/ coast. Get to Swansea then good buses available all the way around the Gower.
HawkTenRose@reddit
Birmingham - London Euston - Paddington - Night Riviera to Penzance (or get off at Par, train to Newquay. Do it overnight, you won’t save time but you can sleep for some of it)
I’ve done Newquay without a car - you can walk to a fair few beaches, there’s cliff tops and the town itself is pretty central to the station, so it’s a decent place. There’s a riding school about 20 minutes walk from the town, as well as a zoo, aquarium and a big swimming pool (and the swimming pool has flumes and stuff) all within 20 minutes walk of the town centre.
It’s I could easily spend 5 days there without repeating doing anything, a week would be easy.
…
Although in Birmingham, I’d go North - to Chester for a few days (optional trips into Liverpool or Manchester) and then maybe train hop along North Wales into Llandudno and Conwy, maybe Bangor (Caernarfon Castle is not far from Bangor, accessible by bus. Explore Wrexham and the aqueduct nearby(longest aqueduct in the world, also accessible by bus from Wrexham), and maybe just hop on and off the train along the way to visit the towns. Less expensive and you still get to view some cool views.
queljest456@reddit
The Scottish Highlands (e.g. Glencoe) are doable by train. Get yourself to Glasgow then it's a single train journey from there
Sparkles165@reddit
The Peak District is easy from Birmingham. Trains to Derby or Sheffield then on from there.
There is peace and quiet. Nature, tourist attractions.
Even the wilds are reasonably accessible on public transport.
insomnimax_99@reddit
You can also go via Manchester Piccadilly (From Birmingham New Street) then take a direct train to Marsden.
taulish_paul@reddit
Birmingham New Street to Truro is direct sometimes. Cross Country trains have a route all the way down the country NE to SW. Derby is also on that route. With planning and flexibility public transport is OK in e.g. Cornwall. I once did similar and really enjoyed not having the car, train and bus were fine.
Scared-One9295@reddit
If you like walking you could do the Peak District, a car would be an advantage sure but you can still plan a good trip around where you can reach by train.
DeathGuard1978@reddit
I'm in the same boat, don't drive so I only have access to public transport and I'd like to explore more of the UK.
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